ASUU reacts to payment of 15.9bn to universities by FG

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said that it is yet to be briefed on the alleged payment of N15.9 billion to universities by the federal government, two months after it embarked on strike.

This disclosure was made on Wednesday by the union’s National President, Biodun Ogunyemi, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The unionist was reacting to reports that the federal government had on December 31, 2018, released N15.9 billion to universities.

Reports earlier today emerged that the federal government is making concessions to appease the striking lecturers.

It was gathered that the concessions will be tabled before the union’s leaders next Monday at a meeting to be convened by Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige.

It was also learnt that Ngige has communicated with the leadership of the union for the “robust feedback session” with the hope that the union will return to the negotiation table.

However, while reacting to this, Ogunyemi said:

“Well someone actually drew my attention to that newspaper report. I have not

received any formal letter from federal government, conveying such information to us.

“The only information I got from the Minister of Labour this afternoon when we spoke was that they have done

something concerning our demands; what they have done, I do not know.

“The other thing he told me was that there is going to be a meeting between us (ASUU) and government on Monday.

“It is only when we get to the meeting that we will be able to know what government has

done and if it is okay by us, then we will convey same to our members who will now take the next line of action.”